Almost a dozen Traveller caravans have pitched in Watford since the start of this year, new figures show.

There were 10 Traveller caravans recorded in Watford in January according to data from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, the same as the figures for January 2023.

The Friends, Families and Travellers charity is celebrating Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month in June and has called for more safe stopping places for the communities in response to the figures.

Three Rivers District Council went to court to remove an unauthorised camp in the Sir James Altham Car Park, Altham Way, South Oxhey last July.Three Rivers District Council went to court to remove an unauthorised camp in the Sir James Altham Car Park, Altham Way, South Oxhey last July. (Image: Google Street View/contribution)

The data shows there were spaces for 10 caravans at local authority and privately-owned sites in Watford, while none of the caravans counted this year were unauthorised.

A spokesperson for Friends, Families and Travellers, which works on behalf of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities, said a national shortage of safe stopping places has caused an increase in Gypsies and Travellers living on roadside camps.

They added that "entire families are stranded with nowhere else to go".

aA charity which works on behalf of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities has called for more safe stopping places. (Stock image) Across England, there were 26,632 caravans counted in January, of which 86 per cent were on authorised land and 14 per cent were unauthorised.

The overall number of stoppages has increased 7 per cent from the year before, while unauthorised caravans have risen 13 per cent from January 2023 – the majority of these were on land owned by Travellers.

The department said the increase this year was higher than average. It added this is partly explained by data quality improvements in the most recent count, with more authorities submitting data.

A spokesperson for the charity added: "National government must ensure councils have the appropriate funding in place so that Gypsy and Traveller families can access secure living conditions through the creation of more safe stopping places.

"Everyone deserves a safe place to rest."

The charity's general election campaign has asked parties to introduce stronger legislation encouraging councils to create adequate provision for Travellers.

It said Gypsy and Traveller sites are often built on dangerous roads, and close to tips and sewage works.